We compared Disneyland Hotel, Howard Johnson, and JW Marriott Anaheim for our February trip with a five-year-old. Here’s how the pricing, breakfast, location, and comfort factored into our decision — and whether JW Marriott was worth it.
Category: Disneyland
How We Saved Money at Disneyland Without Missing the Magic
Disney is expensive — but not every upgrade actually improves the experience. Here’s how we saved money at Disneyland with a five-year-old by focusing on the decisions that truly mattered, from ticket strategy to hotel benefits.
Two Days at Disneyland: Finding Magic Again
Disney felt expensive. Overwhelming. Designed for long days and big energy — not for a five-year-old who still needs breaks and bedtime. But Disneyland was different. Smaller. Walkable. Manageable. So we went.
And somewhere between flying over London on Peter Pan’s Flight, racing through Radiator Springs, and watching her twirl in a line of little princesses, I realized something.
We weren’t trying to maximize the park.
We were choosing the moments.
This wasn’t the Disney trip where we did everything.
It was the one where we were fully present.
And that made it magical.
How I Planned Disneyland With a 5-Year-Old (Without Overwhelming Her)
Planning Disneyland with a 5-year-old doesn’t mean doing everything. Here’s how I narrowed 60+ rides down to 20, built in nap time, avoided overwhelm, and designed a two-day trip that actually worked.